Improved washing-machine



UNITED STATES `PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL S. JOHNSON, OE vIEDEN, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVED WASHING-MACHINE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 41,8117', dated March 8, 1864.

To .f1/ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known tha-tI, SAMUEL S. JOHNSON, of Virden, in the county of Macoupin and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and Improved Washing-Machine; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specication, in whiclli Figure lis a plan of my improved washin g-machine. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof., Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the same. Fig. 4t is a vertical longitudinal section in the line a; x, Fig. l.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

This invention consists in the employment, in connection with a washing apparatus of peculiar construction, ot' a tire-box or furnace' In the accompanying drawings, A may represent an oblong angular tub or box mounted upon legs B, and provided with a zinc or other suitable metallic bottom, A.

G represents a tire-box or furnace placed beneath and secured in contact the under side ot` the metallic bottom A', eitherpermanently or adjustably, and by any suitable means.V

Asshown-in Fig. 2, the furnace C gradually decreases in vertical width toward the flue C', in order to insure an effectual and steady draft. The re is designed to be contained in the front or larger end of the furnace C, which end may receive additional support from a transverse bar, D, attached at its respective ends to the two front supporting-legs of the Inachine.

Cz'represents the door of the furnace.

E represents a convex metallic plate, resting upon ribs or cleats E E', and bolstered at its central portion by a transverse bar, F.

Grepresents a grooved cylindrical roller, situated directly above the central and elevated portion of the plate E, and supported transversely in the tub A by arms g g, which are adapted to rotate in vertical slots a a. These arms g g extend beyond the sides of the tub A, and are employed in connection with pivoted levers H H, in order to regulate the pressure exerted upon theclothes by the roller G, for which purpose the arms g g and levers H are connected by means of rods h h, which are looped over the arms g, so as not to inter' fere with the free rotation of the same. The levers H may each be pivoted at one end to the respective hinderlegs of the machine, and prevented from lateral movement by having their opposite ends passed through slots b b in the front legs, and the said levers are also designed to be provided with a series of notches to admit of the adjustment of weights H' H, for the purpose of increasing or diminishin g to any extent the pressure exerted upon the clothes while passing between the roller G and plate E.

I represents a crank-handle, by which the roller G may be rotated. v v

It will be seen that the boilingaction to which the clothes are subjected adapts them to be thoroughly cleansed by greatly-reduced friction. This friction may be regulated with facility by the adjustable weights Hl H', and by drawing the clothes back and forth between the roller G and plate E by means yof the crank-handle I they may be washed with great rapidity.

The washing devices are simple in construction. 1The heating apparatus may be applied at very slight cost, and the employment of the combined machine obviates the danger of injury to the clothes which has heretofore been of frequent occurrence in consequence of the great friction rendered necessary by the condition of the garments.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l. The combination of the tub A, convexplate E, bar F, cleats E' E', roller G, and levers H H, constructed and operating in the manner described.

2. In combination with a machine of the construction above specified, the furnace C, arranged and operating in-the manner and for the purpose set forth.

SAMUEL S. JOHNSON.

Witnesses:

JAMES VANOIL, W. W. CEcrL. 

